By: Isabella Rubis
The Claret-and-Cobalt battled back to secure a 2-1 victory against rival Colorado Rapids Saturday night in front of yet another sold-out crowd at America First Field, the 21,424 marking the sixth-largest crowd in the Club’s 18-year Sandy history. The match was one of fierce competition, high intensity and the resilient RSL “xDAWG” mentality. After conceding a goal in the seventh minute, the home side never relented, scoring two spectacular goals to lift the home side to the full three points against its storied rival.
RSL’s Young Attack Pushes Home Side to Victory
After conceding early, Real Salt Lake battled from behind, continuously pressuring Colorado’s back line and creating attacking opportunities. In the 36th minute, Zach Booth’s pressure paid off as FW Sergi Solans stepped in front of the deflected pass, taking a few touches into the box before showcasing his innate soccer IQ and slicing a pass out wide to 19-year-old Zavier Gozo, who found the equalizer.
With Gozo’s score, the West Valley-born and Eagle Mountain-raised attacker continued his strong form, scenic for the fourth time in as many matches. In the midweek matchup against Houston, when he secured his first-ever MLS brace, becoming the youngest player in RSL history to do so at just 19 years, 52 days old. The incendiary star has been instrumental to the Claret-and-Cobalt’s early success this season, bringing attacking creativity, skillful footwork and a strong mentality to the squad in his sophomore season. Netting six goals and four assists thus far in 2026, Gozo has quickly become one of the top teens in the league and continues to excel at a high level.
Along with the young talent of Gozo, RSL has risen to the top of the West in no small part due to his attacking counterpart, rookie Sergi Solans. The Spaniard has burst onto the MLS scene in his rookie season, impressing staff and fans early on with his attacking ingenuity. In the 68th minute of Saturday night's match, the striker showcased his exquisite aerial ability. Receiving a perfectly-placed cross from Uruguayan MF JuanMa Sanabria and whipping the game-winner into the back of the net powerfully with his head.
Since joining Real Salt Lake this season, the Oregon State/UCLA standout has secured a starting spot on the highly-competitive squad, contributing to nine RSL goals so far in 2026, scoring six times, with a mind-blowing four of the six coming off of his head, in addition to three assists. With the speed and striking ability of Solans on the front line, the Claret-and-Cobalt are proving it can compete with anyone in the league. Solans’ second-half score was ultimately the deciding factor of the match, giving RSL its seventh home win in eight matches, furthering its home dominance and rising to third in the West and fourth overall in the 30-team MLS.
Defensive Duo: Glad and Yedlin
Along with the highlight of RSL’s goal-scoring duo Saturday night, the match wouldn't have been won without the defensive duo of DF DeAndre Yedlin and homegrown DF Justen Glad. Both MLS veterans showcased superior strength and composure, uniquely seen across MLS. Glad made his first start Saturday after missing two matches due to injury, proving once again why he has been an anchor for RSL in previous seasons, making multiple key stops to deny opposing breakaways, even narrowly missing a header in the 16th minute.
Yedlin worked as a brick wall on the right side of the pitch, thwarting multiple attacking opportunities and ultimately helping to keep the match stalemated heading into the second half. With the return of Glad and the composure of Yedlin, the Claret-and-Cobalt’s backline was a force, holding the rivaled visitors scoreless for more than 80 minutes, keeping the home fortress intact with a seventh victory in eight opportunities at America First Field.
Real Salt Lake now hit the road one last time ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup break, traveling this Saturday, May 23 at Minnesota. Kickoff is slated for 2:30 pm MT and will be available to stream exclusively on AppleTV.
